Scott's Jurassic Park Jeep Build!

[ScottWarrior]

Okay so as you can see from the list I posted I have a lot to do and I have already gotten started on some of the repairs. The first thing I did after getting it home was to change out the motor oil and put in a full synthetic. Then I fixed the tailgate and driver's door locks. Next I replaced the spark plugs. If you didn't at least pull yours and check their gap when you bought you Jeep, it is a good idea. The old champions I pulled out of mine had a gap range from .50 to .60. Not the .35 that they should have been. I replaced mine with champion double platinum plugs. There is no sense in buying anything fancy like the e3, double spark, or whatever other thing they can come up with to take your money. The Jeep 4.0s run just fine on standard plugs.

[ScottWarrior]

Okay so I listed the thermostat on my list of repairs. This is a common part failure on the 4.0 motors. But most people don't realize when it has gone bad. For those who don't know what the thermostat is and does, I am going to explain this hoping to help someone out. The thermostat on a vehicle is actually a valve that opens and closes depending on its temperature. When the temperature of the motor reaches a certain point, like 195° for the Jeep 4.0, then the valve opens letting coolant circulate through the radiator and engine block. Most of the time when the thermostat fails it remains open, not allowing thr motor to reach an optimal operating temperature. This is not something that is going to cause any critical problems, but is not good if left alone for a long period of time. The 4.0 is an engine that actually likes to run a little hot. If it is not allowed to reach its optimal operating temperature then it will run rich, which can cause multiple problems. Some of which, but not limited to, are bad fuel economy, fouled plugs, excessive carbon build up, catalytic converter failure, and so on. Your first clue that your thermostat is bad is that your temperature gauge doesn't ever get over 180° on a cool or cold day. Mine wouldn't get over 160°. You should then check to see if your motor is the same temperature as your gauge, If it is then its the thermostat. If the engine is up to temperature and your gauge is not then it is either your temperature sensor or your gauge. The thermostat is easy to change and I used original mopar parts for this job because it was not that expensive and it came with the required gaskets.
Hope this helps somebody out. Thanks

[fantomas]

I was wondering what was wrong with your windshield but looking closely is that a giant chip in the middle there? You might just be able to fill and save some green.

Also, when I got my Jeep I was stoked it had AC, even though I'm pretty sure it doesn't work. The reason I don't actually know if it works or not is because I've been having so much fun bombing around in it with the top and doors off that I never had to bother trying to use it. Just something to keep in mind especially if it won't be a daily driver.

[ScottWarrior]

Yes there are multiple chips in the windshield. I think six total. How none of them have turned into a crack is amazing. I can get a windshield pretty cheap and I will just replace it when I strip it for paint. I plan on fixing everything because I am kind of a perfectionist. I do use it as a partial daily driver so I would like for it all to work.

[ratrace427]

Insurance covers for the repair. They fill the chips with a clear glue. I have had several chips with small cracks fixed and I have to hunt to find them now.

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[ScottWarrior]

Okay so a couple of nights ago I installed my new rear view mirror. I bought the kit off of eBay from CSEOffRoad. The kit comes from rugged ridge and was pretty good. It came with a new oem style mirror, the tab, and the glue. It worked out well. We will see what happens through the summer.
While I was working on cleaning the windshield I also cleaned off the Texas registration stickers and put my pikepass on the windshield.

[ratrace427]

i see the chips now. safelite will fix those up.

[ScottWarrior]

So I picked up the replacement door handle and changed it out. The previous owner had taken some green webbing and put it in place of the broken handle, but I wanted it to be factory original. As you can see from the pictures it was a Mopar original part and the color matches perfectly.
If anyone needs one of these for there Jeep they are $30. Send me a PM and I can tell you how to get one.

[ratrace427]

That's awesome! To bad other parts aren't that easy

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[ScottWarrior]

Yeah tell me about it. I worked in a Chrysler parts department in the 90s. Still have friends there. We spent some time on the system looking for parts one Saturday. Came up with that and some leads on some other parts.